Enclave (The Razorland Trilogy, 1)

Deuce has always wanted to be a Hunter and she finally is. She is now one of the elite who helps protect the underground enclave from Freaks, zombie like creatures that have overtaken the only world Deuce has ever known. Except when she's paired with the mysterious and aloof Fade, the only boy who has ever seen Topside and lived, she begins to question her entire existence and the Elders who control them. Enclave is another addition the ever growing YA Dystopian genre. I haven't read that many and I consider The Hunger Games one of the best books ever so I was a little leery as to whether Enclave would live up to what I consider the Holy Grail of Dystopian. I don't think Ann is re-writing the genre in any way but man oh man did I love this one! I talked about the characters for days afterwards; I even talked my husband into reading it just so I could discuss it with someone. I'm not sure why this story resonated with me as opposed to other dystopian novels. Maybe it was that this was a world of children, where no one lives much past their 20th birthday. Maybe it's the idea of not being able to choose your own path. Or of identifying a "brat" as a number rather than a name (Girl 96 or Boy 12), until you're old enough to attend the naming ceremony in which you receive a series of cuts with a razor. The number of cuts denotes your profession and what object your blood happens to fall on is now your name. Your career assignments are either a Breeder, Builder or Hunter, depending on how you best serve the enclave. The Breeder option rankled the most for obvious reasons but the Builder and Hunters bothered me in other ways. Yes, thankfully you are not on a breeding schedule with people chosen only for their genetics, not out of love but nor are you allowed any affection with the opposite sex. All encounters are chaperoned less you produce inferior children that won't contribute to the enclave. A common touch or a pat on the shoulder for comfort is not allowed. This is all horrific enough but the way these children handled it was what broke my heart. They dealt with it. Yes, they felt some despair but they weren't broken, or whiny. They believed the Elders and did whatever helped the whole survive. They acted more mature than most adults I know. For some reason I desperately wanted to give them hope or show them what life could be. Enclave felt less like a book and more like a movie to me. It is bleak and at moments I didn't think I could take much more but the story just moves and takes you with it. I could see it. It's also filled with hope and a surprising amount of humor and humanity. The pacing is perfect. We're never in any one place too long. The scenes change, characters develop and grow. Just like Deuce & Fade, we have to keep moving on. When they were in the dark tunnels running from the Freaks - I felt like I was there in the tunnels. When Deuce was taking her first gulp of fresh air and seeing a bird for the first time - I ducked, just like she did. Deuce and Fade meet others on their journey and there was not one character in the book that I didn't want to know more about. They eventually pair up with two others kids, Stalker and Tegan. Every character was multi layered and complex. Deuce quickly became one of my favorite heroines. No whining, no insufferable internal monologue, she learns from her mistakes. I LOVED her. They all make mistakes and difficult choices to survive. Would I make the same choices? Probably not in some of their cases but I could understand all of them. Even the bad guys weren't so easy to write off. Stalker in particular could have been written as the "snarky bad boy" to Fade's "good guy" but thankfully she didn't go that way. The romance isn't over played in Enclave. It is but one element, added when it furthered the plot, not as a way to lure young girls to read the book. So much dystopian these days is written as a romance rather than about actual survival. This could very well be a book that guys would be interested in too. My husband read it in four hours and enjoyed it. Some people may disagree with me on this part but I felt that Enclave had a very satisfying ending. Not until I finished did I realize not much had been answered, yet I wasn't left frustrated by questions. I was swept up in the journey. There is definitely more ground to cover and I'm happy to say that this is a trilogy (you won't hear me say that very often!). I can't wait to take that next step into the world Ann has created. Really I could go on and on but you get the idea - I loved it. I really hate long gushy reviews myself and I know not everyone will feel the same way but I am so happy to be this excited about a book again.

Title: Enclave Author: Ann Aguirre Rating: 4.5 Stars My Review The only spoiler in this review is one that I think should not be a spoiler. Enclave is a ZOMBIE book (Freaks). I have to say that this was the very first 'zombie apocalyptic' that I had ever read. Despite enjoying apocalyptics, I tend to favor science-fiction over zombie, or at least I did in the past. (No I didn't read World War Z or I Am Legend. They are on the to-read list people. Jeez, relax!) That being said, I think that Ilsa J. Black has Ann Aguirre to thank for my purchase of Ashes (review to come). If I had not enjoyed Enclave so much I never would have taken a chance on Ashes, but it was kind of an accident that I ended up reading a zombie novel at all. When I read the synopsis of Enclave (see above), I somehow failed to realize that it was a zombie story! I know, why don't you read it and tell me if you could tell that??? Once I did realize that I was a zombie story, I was already so entangled in Deuce's feelings and world that I couldn't put it down. So let's get to the things I loved. Deuce - Love, Love, Love Deuce. She's a Huntress through and through and you know I am a sucker for a strong female protagonist. The opening scene in which she receives her name was both thrilling and disgusting, and you find yourself on her side immediately. She is strong and fierce and loyal, and most of all, she is very good at what she does...which is hunt. Forced to live underground in the subways and sewers, Deuce has never seen natural light or known a life lived without fear of the Fade - I love Fade. He survived Topside somehow for a time and found his way into the Enclave where he was sort of accepted, but not truly. There was always an air of mistrust around him and Fade did little to dissuade that himself. Despite the horrors of Topside, Fade sees flaws in the stringent society of the Enclave, in which their lives are as short and cheap as their choices. He never fully trusts them. His mistrust makes him a loner, but then again, with the exception of two somewhat close friends, so is Deuce. She is not a social person by nature and though she's annoyed by Fade's obtuseness, she doesn't mind being so herself. Together, they are a dynamite team. Capable, fast, and deadly, they were well selected to pair up by the leader of the Hunters, Silk. They survive the constant onslaught of the Freaks and in the process, they learn more about their world. Unfortunately for Silk, their partnership would prove stronger than their bonds to nearly anything else, an outcome she could not have predicted. Silk - Her name is her irony. She should have been named IRON or STEEL. Despite being female, there is nothing soft about Silk -- her word is law. It is difficult to get a real read on Silk, beyond her gruff exterior. At times she seems to be on Deuce's side and at other times she seems pitted against her. In the end, Silk plays an unexpected role that for me, solidified 'which side she was on' in the end. I found it satisfying. Stalker - Stalker is introduced later in the story, once Deuce and Fade find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Without giving anything away, suffice it to say that Stalker turns out to be more interesting and more sympathetic than you would ever have imagined when you first meet him. I believe that Enclave is the first in a trilogy or series, and I look forward to seeing what Ann will do with this character. The World - As a non-expert in zombie apocalypse, I can't say how her world measures up against the classics, but I found it disgustingly easy to visualize. Perhaps the setting being primarily in the subways of New York helped me with that...there is a familiarity there when she describes the tunnels and platforms and stations. It helps it to feel real and I have to warn you, the reality sometimes makes you want to take a shower. :P The contrast with Topside was truly startling. I felt much like Deuce, blinking in disbelief as she emerged. I also enjoyed Deuce's introduction to this world of sun and moon and plants and animals that scurry about in the light...it was all so new to her. Despite the constant danger, there was something touching about those moments of discovery. A note about ROMANCE - Aguirre throws in enough romance to sustain you, but don't expect that to be the over-arching theme. This is a zombie book! It's about survival and there is quite a lot of graphic violence. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author. Now, as tweeted previously, this is likely my last book review for a bit because I must begin my re-reading of THG!!

A dystopia leaves us faced with some big choices, but a fairly common decision is that of safety vs. freedom. Would you be willing to be subservient and blindly follow orders if it meant your community was safe? Even if it meant you had to deal with murder, sacrifice, and other impossible choices? Or would you rather take your chances in the ugly world if it meant your decisions were your own? Even if it meant survival was less than likely and surely not to last terribly long? These are the questions you will find yourself asking while reading the first book in the Razorland series, Enclave by Ann Aguirre. All Deuce ever wanted was to make it to age 15 where she got her name and her new job: Huntress. Living in the subway tunnels underneath the city, the College Enclave has a very strict way of doing things, and this is what has kept them alive. Children die so often they remain unnamed until they are 15. Then they are named and given their job, Hunter, Breeder, or Builder. The Hunters are responsible for going out into the tunnels to gather food for the Enclave, as well as keeping the Freaks at bay. The Freaks are weird monsters that are human/zombie type creatures. They are constantly looking for meat (fresh or rotten) to eat, have sharp teeth and hideous claws. They will even resort to eating each other, but they aren't particularly bright and don't work together, or so the Enclave thought. When Deuce and her new partner, Fade (not born in the Enclave) come across a blind boy from another Enclave, they are sent to on a suicide mission to see if the boy's Enclave really did fall to the Freaks. When they surprisingly make it back to their own Enclave with scary news of Freaks working together, the Elders refuse to believe it. Instead, they seem to be determined to live in ignorance of the inevitable threat that will destroy the Enclave and every person in it. They even go so far as to plant banned artifacts in people's rooms and sacrifice them as examples. When Deuce's best friend is accused of hoarding artifacts, Fade and Deuce take the blame and are exiled from the Enclave. Deuce assumes going Topside (above ground) is a death sentence, but Fade tells her he used to live there and he thinks they can make it. He warns her about gangers- gangs of men who only use women as breeders and hunt other men for sport if they won't join their gang. Unfortunately, the warning isn't enough, and they are captured by a gang called the Wolves. Stalker, head Wolf, claims Deuce for his own. He has plans for her once he finishes hunting Fade (think "The Most Dangerous Game") and he sends her with another young woman name Tegan to get cleaned up. What he doesn't expect is that Deuce isn't about to go down without a fight, and she is taking Tegan with her. Together, they free Fade and manage to dismantle the Wolves' hunting party one by one. Once they are free of the Wolves, they continue on their journey north, where Fade's father always told him life would be safer. Along the way, however, it becomes clear the Freaks aren't just in the tunnels anymore. They are Topside and they are hungry. When the Wolves find Fade, Deuce, and Tegan, the Freaks attack, leaving Stalker as the lone Wolf surviving. He decides to stick with them and head north, seeing the futility of returning to the city if these creatures are coming up to the surface. Can they find the land to the north where life continues as it did before the world came crashing down? Will Deuce lose Fade to more tragedy and loss than he can handle? Can Tegan, the weakest of the group, survive the journey, especially alongside her former captor who she wants to see dead and bloody? Now, clearly you know by now I have a dystopic/post-apocalyptic "soft-side". I love 'em! Call me dark, weird, creepy, whatever, but I can't help it... I love reading about The End of The World As We Know It (TEOTWAWKI). Some are good, some are bad, but occasionally you find the ones that are phenomenal. Welcome to Enclave. Simply addictive. My only complaint about this book? The next book is over a YEAR away! The world Aguirre weaves is so intricate and believable. The creepy Freaks gave me nightmares last night and were way too zombie-like not to make me barricade the door (but they aren't quite zombies). The characters are interesting and have layers you end up peeling back layer by layer. Finally, the journey is one you would be terrified to take, but can't resist tagging along on. This was an amazing story of epic proportions that will keep you angry at Aguirre for not pumping out the next book faster! The language is very tame, and the content is typical for this genre, but not overly gory or bloody. There are life and death scenes of course, but they aren't terribly graphic. YA Lit has taken some criticism for giving teens topics that are "too heavy", but I think those books do something important for our young readers: they get to experience the lives of survivors. In those books, kids survive the apocalypse, oppressive governments, rape, torture, bullying, gay bashing, abuse, eating disorders, and so much more.

If I could, I would kneel at Ann's feet and worship her as a god. I would sit there for hours, or for as long as she would let me, and absorb all the knowledge and wisdom I'm sure she exudes. Because that's the only way I could ever find the talent and capability to write as well as she, if I ever could, that is. Enclave is Ann's first YA offering and it kicks serious butt. Frankly, and as much as I loved The Hunger Games, if the two were matched in a head-to-head smackdown, Enclave would win hands down and leave The Hunger Games limping, bruised, with a couple of black eyes and perhaps a torn-off ear. It's that good. Then again, Deuce, the protagonist of Enclave, is the natural heir to the awesomeness shown by the star of Aguirre's other series, Sirantha Jax. Deuce lives in the enclave, an underground dwelling built into the remains of the New York subway system after the second holocaust, in the near (or far) future. It's a hard life: only if you survive the first fifteen years do you get a name; until then, you're only identified as a 'Boy' or 'Girl' brat and a number. During those years, you train as either a Breeder, a Builder, or a Hunter. When you get your name, you also get your arms scarred, the number of which identifies you for life: two for breeder, four for builder, six for hunter. Hunters have the most dangerous life, having to go outside into the tunnels in order to find food, all the while braving the marauding monsters called Freaks. Almost-human, but yet not, with razor-sharp teeth and claws for fingernails, they eat the dead, even their own, and attack anything that moved. They've always been a threat to the enclave, but lately the Freaks are becoming more bold, more intelligent, which makes them even more terrifying. Deuce is proud of becoming a Huntress, proud that she can now justify her place in the enclave. But she's not so proud to become the partner of Fade, an outsider who joined the enclave after surviving for years in the tunnels on his own. Of course, Fade's not too happy either, especially when the two of them discover some unsettling truths about the Freaks' behavior and it seems as though all Deuce wants to do is carry on the enclave's party line, one of defiant ignorance. That all changes when Deuce slowly begins to question all that she's been told growing up in the enclave, especially when she's put into a situation not of her making which results in her and Fade being exiled. As the two make their way Topside, Deuce finds herself facing new vistas, new truths, and new feelings unlike any she's ever known before. Deuce is one of those rare YA characters who actually grows and changes as the story progresses. Not always for the good, perhaps, but she doesn't remain the same character she was at the beginning of the novel. Because she's so young when the story begins (even though, in her society, Deuce is seen as grown up), the novel is a coming-of-age tale, albeit one that happens to mix in some knife fighting, butt-kicking, and Freaks. As with her other novels, Aguirre infuses even the most minor of characters with a depth and nuance, peopling the plot with a variety of likable and not-so-likable people who also manage to morph as circumstances change. Then there's the story, which isn't at all straightforward or predictable. It starts at one point, you think you see where it's going, and then it takes a turn. It's full of drama, heart-pounding action, and pathos; there's not a moment where the reader's attention drags or feels overwhelmed by exposition. There's nothing extraneous; it's a lean, tight, engaging book that moves even when the characters aren't. My final words? I can't recommend Enclave highly enough. If you are a fan of the ever-expanding YA post-apocalyptic genre, you would do well to read Enclave. Once you do, you'll be hooked. Ooh, and then you can join me and we can create the cult of Ann Aguirre! There'll be t-shirts and everything! C'mon!

I really liked Enclave by Ann Aguirre< for a variety of reasons. It was extremely fast-paced and action-packed. The world-building and the world itself was so entertaining and fascinating and mind-boggling!Three words, FADE AND DEUCE! Although I liked a lot of elements of this book, there was one thing that I really didn't like. I didn't really feel as if there was any real climax in this book or anything that felt particularly climatic. When I bought this book, I didn't know it would be this SHORT AND SMALL! This novel was only 250 pages long, guys, that's barely a book in my opinion. But, in those few pages, Ann Aguirre was able to create and develop a fantastic story that had action left and right. The story was easy-flowing and fast-paced. I would read ten pages and WEEKS in the book would have gone by. Even though it was quickly paced, I didn't feel like I lost anything while reading, it had the perfect balance of action and world-building. The dystopian world that lives inside of this book is unlike any other I've ever read and I read a LOT of dystopian books. It was so well-written and developed and it was kind of unbelievable and surreal that the Enclaves survive underground, basically in the sewerage systems of New York City, closed off from the above world. It was fun to identify common objects just by the author's description, kind of like a guessing game and I had to do it a lot because of the main character's lack of knowledge of the world above ground. I just thought the plot was original and fantastically written; it had loads and loads of vivid descriptions and it made me feel like I was a part of the book, like I was the person living underground, seeing the sun for the first time and killing Freaks. The characters in Enclave (*cough,cough* Fade and Deuce) were such badasses!!! They were so fierce, skilled and brave, willing to jump into combat with the freaks, among other threats, anytime if it meant saving themselves and the ones they cared about. I felt as if even though they were strong and disciplined, I got to see really uniquely vulnerable sides of them, especially when they were around each other. The characters were really well-developed and lovable. I mean, I loved them, everyone's entitled to their own opinions. I loved a lot of things about this book but I really was disappointed that there wasn't really any sort of super substantial climatic scene close to the end of the book. This novel was jam-packed with action, in almost every chapter, and it was amazing, don't get me wrong, but...I felt as if it needed something, anything more at the end to give it that OOMPH! It didn't really have a suspenseful cliffhanger, either. Besides that, I basically loved it. It was fantastic, I can't wait to read the second book which better be amazing and not have Second-book-syndrome(because, seriously, it's contagious, I feel as if a lot of series get it). I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys badass characters, zombies and post-apocalyptic/pre-apocalyptic awesomeness. The book was great and on a scale of 1-5 stars, I gave it four. Link to my goodreads :[...]

Quickie: I suspect this book (and author) will win many awards because this book is a masterpiece. This, my friends, is why I read. Full: I'm going to skip the synopsis on this one, because I feel it's best read cold-turkey. No spoilers, no pre-concieved notions. Just a book. A fantastic book by an extraordinarily talented author. I will, however, give my thoughts. Characters: Loved them all. -Deuce came off as green and desperate to prove herself in the beginning, almost to the point of irritation for me. That was good though, because it made her personal journey, discovery, and growth all the better. She was a fighter, to be sure, but I was glad to see that she wasn't completely pragmatic and heartless. If she would have been, I doubt I could have identified and "bonded" with her. I loved her though, mistakes and flaws included. Her growth as a character was lovely and fulfilling. -Fade was pure love. What more could we ask for? A tortured boy (man? I feel like he's more man than boy) who has difficulties connecting to those around him. (For good reason) But once you take the time to get to know him, he's pure gold. Sweet, protective, jealous, understanding, and respectful. He's not intimidated by Deuce's Huntress title, nor does he see her as any less feminine. He respects her for who she is. World: Oh man. This is a terrifying place to live. And yet, so very rich. With a lot of dystopians lately, I have felt like I've got a grasp on the world they have created, but with Enclave, I could see it. I could feel it. I could smell it. It was clearly researched and dwelled upon to a great extent. I am absolutely astounded at how much I loved the world. I would call it dynamic. And frighteningly realistic. I can't wait to go back!! Cover: Well, covers and book design do not count towards my ratings, but I wanted to mention this one. Here's why: I left it on. Usually when I read a hardcover book, I take the dust jacket off and put it up on top of my bookshelf so that I don't ruin it. But I didn't do that with Enclave. Not because I wanted to ruin it (I didn't!!) but because it creeped me out. No, really. Every time I paused to collect my thoughts I'd close the book and be totally creeped out by those hands and I'd open it right back up again because I had to know what happened next. Maybe that doesn't make sense to you... maybe I'm just crazy, but it mattered to me. I enjoy looking at covers while I'm reading books. With hardbacks I usually make the sacrifice and take it off to make sure I don't rip it or anything else. But this one... I couldn't take it off. Etc.: Read it. Trust me, the hype about Enclave is well deserved. It started out beautifully and only got better as the page numbers went higher. 5 out of 5 stars.

"Enclave" is the story yet another dystopian YA story. While I admit to becoming somewhat tired of them I enjoyed "Enclave" and I am glad that I read it. There are plenty of descriptions of this book's plot but let me give a brief synopsis. Something has happened to make the world as we know it uninhabitable. Pockets of survivors of this time have hidden in the subway underground tunnels. Entire communities have formed below where there is no sunlight or fresh air. In Deuce's community there are three groups of people and everyone belongs to one of those three groups. There are Builders, Breeders, and Hunters. Builders build and create things needed for living. Hunters protect and go out and hunt for and gather food. Breeders make children and care for the next generations. Deuce has always wanted to be a Hunter. Shortly after she becomes one she learns more about things going on in their enclave and things quickly spiral out of hand. She and her partner Fade are eventually banned from their community and forced `aboveground'...a fate that could easily mean their deaths. I liked that this book really seemed to stand out and be unique in this overly saturated dystopian market. I really liked reading about the Enclave and how they lived after whatever went down to because the world to be changed so drastically. Deuce was an enjoyable character although at the beginning I was somewhat annoyed by her because she seemed so willing to overlook all the horrible things happening right in front of her. I loved Fade. He was empathetic and different straight from the start. I really thought he seemed like a great guy and I liked how he and Deuce interacted. We spent only a fairly short amount of time down below with the entire group so it was hard to get a good feel on any of the other characters. Stone, the dumb but kind Breeder was intriguing but I thought best friend Thimble wasn't loyal or kind hearted. She actually was somewhat selfish. Adding to the danger is a group of zombie type creatures Deuce refers to as Freaks. They are mostly dumb (but maybe getting smarter) once-humans who eat their dead. They see the humans as meat and will do anything to get at them. They are a danger both below and aboveground. What is somewhat confusing is that the readers don't really know what the Freaks are or how they came to be. Readers don't know what happened aboveground or why the tunneled groups to fled the aboveground. I have my theory and it is something that I think is hinted at in the book and it would also somewhat explain the Freaks. Something this important to the story should probably have been explained in more detail upfront. Also, readers are informed early on that people don't live to be very old. They are dead by their early twenties most of the time but they never explain why that is either. Is it due to natural causes because of all the danger? Is it due to whatever caused this `apocalypse' of sorts? Is it just because hygiene is poor? More details, please! I have one other really big complaint and it is something that just doesn't sit well with me at all. In the latter part of the novel, Deuce and Fade are topside. They have figured out the a group that refers to themselves as Wolves (a gang of sorts) basically use woman for just one thing and the woman don't agree or want this. After several events Tegan (the young raped woman) and her rapist (Stalker) end up with them on their journey. Tegan is obviously miserable being forced to have Stalker along and the fact that Fade and Deuce accept him along just made me sick. At one point Deuce tells them to get over it and stop fighting between themselves! Now here is (word for word) the part I am disgusted by: "Part of me hated him for what he'd let the other Wolves do to Tegan, but the Huntress half of me wondered why she hadn't fought until she died. I admired his ruthless skill with those blades that seemed an extension of his hand." Ok, so we don't know for sure that Stalker himself raped Tegan but he was definitely the leader and allowed this to happen on his watch. He also seems to have raped other woman in his gang because this is supposedly the way of life for them. I can't get past this. I can't understand why the others are so willing to forgive and forget when this guy tried to kill them and raped women. Wow. Just wow. Now I find that "Enclave" is recommended summer reading for my 12 year old son's advanced English class. I'm glad I read this book first so that we can discuss this part of the book together. Overall, I did find this book very readable and fairly unique. I think the writing is solid and I think the author is very skilled at her craft. I had problems with the previously noted content and the fact that I wish the world was explained in more detail. I found the action exciting and found the world, especially the tunnel communities to be very intriguing. I certainly am engaged enough that I want to read the follow up "Outpost" because I also loved where the book left off. I see a lot of potential in where this series would go. I just wish Stalker would be written off or better yet tarred, feathered, and scalped.

I was surprised to find this book averaging 4 stars with the Kindle edition and 4.5 stars in the non electronic editions. Compared to other 'dystopian' novels that I've read, this book offers what few others do, and that is realism, and that should rate it automatically higher than the dozens of other pithy dystopes (which usually average 4.5). Of course, the realism does not seem complete, but that is limited by the fact that most people would struggle to understand the impact of a similar catastrophe in our times. What Ann Aguirre has done here, is given us a beautifully written understanding of four to five different cultures which have sprung up in the midst of this disaster, and show us how they functioned in efforts of self preservation. Clearly, self preservation (as opposed to electronic social networking) is the game of the day, and the heroic efforts of our main characters highlight this function and elevate it to noble status. If you are not into self preservation, then, I ask, 'Why are you reading books about zombie hordes?' The reason I bought this book, is because I am a fan of the author. I must admit, I found it quite different in some ways from others she's written, but similar in the way she writes characters. Ann seems to write characters in a very heartfelt way, which draws you into their lives in a very personal way. ***Spoilers*** Ann has written 'Deuce' in a way as to redefine 'strong female lead.' Her gutsy efforts to be a 'Huntress' and her incessant reliance on not showing weakness combined with her 'Enclave' culture creates an intriguing lead character. 'Fade' provides the right combination of strength and mystery to be a satisfying love interest, and hints at another culture which could be called 'topsider family.' The two of them encounter the zombie horde which has been termed 'Eaters,' 'Freaks,' and 'Muties' depending on your cultural background, and this constant menace provides a lot of the tension in the story. Some people seem to grow tired of this, but I have no idea why. I love their constant presence, and their impact on the characters and their cultures. The fact that they may be changing and growing more intellegent seems to create a conflict growth for future books. Their interaction with the gangs adds more to the party, and encounters the remnants of two more 'topsider families.' The adoption of a gang leader seems a little bit out of place, since he has clearly been a violent person who beats women into submission, but the offer of a another blade is too good to pass up. The other thing to keep in mind is that both of the main characters here come from violent survivalist backgrounds. They live by the motto 'only the strong survive' and with that in mind, the choice while not automatic is lucid. On the positive side, Deuces initial interaction with the outside world creates some wonderful scenes which are the highlight of the book. Overall, the ending seems a little unsatisfying. When you realize the central conflict of the story is how the central character can leave her culture and the safety it provides and survive to find a new safety, then you realize that the book is indeed finished. But yet, the ever present 'Freaks' reminds you that this is not a fairy tale happy ending. This is just a pause, a break, a journey from A to B, in these characters lives. They have a long way to go to achieve any kind of independence of danger and cultural bonds which have molded them in ways they would not have chosen. There is still the path to becoming whole. Overall, I love this book, and would highly recommend it to anyone.

I am really looking forward to reading the next book! Enclave was my first experience with this author and I wasn't disappointed.

In College enclave, hidden in the tunnels beneath a ruined New York, people only earn the right to a name if they survive their first fifteen years. Once you age enough to leave the ranks of unnamed brats, you choose a path as a Breeder, a Builder or a Hunter. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember so she is thrilled to join their ranks, even when she is paired with Fade a boy who grew up outside the enclave. A Hunter's job is to patrol the tunnels, bringing back food and fighting the monsters known as Freaks but as the Freaks become more intelligent, Deuce is forced to question the rules she has lived her life by. This is the first in the Razorland trilogy and it was a book I approached with trepidation. I'd seen good reviews, it sounded interesting, even the trailer looked good but something made me hesitate. Now I've read it I really regret that hesitation as this is an outstanding read. Set in a future where people have taken refuge in underground tunnels, it soon becomes clear the author has really done her research as the narrative has a realistic take on how difficult that life would be. The dystopia and world building are excellent as by introducing Deuce at the start of her Huntress career, the reader is introduced to the world alongside Deuce meaning that there is no info dumping and the revelations come in some surprising twists and turns. The plot is tightly written and a steady pace is maintained throughout as Deuce's world steadily expands beyond the tunnels that used to be all she knew. The dystopia itself is scarily believable yet leaving room for new facts to emerge. Deuce is a great lead character as she is strong and relentless. I found it really easy to identify with her, despite the fact our lives have nothing in common. Her determination to serve her enclave and her gradual realisation that things aren't okay made me like her. Fade is the perfect way for Deuce's illusions to be shattered. He doesn't maliciously change her world, just points out things with the perspective of an outsider allowing the revelations to happen naturally. The romance between them takes a backseat to the action but it is nevertheless well written and developed. The Freaks quickly become a horrifying threat, and their existence develops alongside the main plot. They quickly go from dangerous but stupid monsters, to terrifyingly smart calculating predators a shift which undermines the stability the enclave claims. In some ways this is a book of two halves as the story development leads Deuce and Fade "topside" and out of the tunnels, revealing the reasons behind the downfall of society and more about Fade's past. The storyline flows through the location change and the ending leaves Deuce and Fade ready to continue their adventures. All in all, this was a great read and I'm really looking forward to Outpost . Plot: 10/10 Characters: 10/10 Ending: 10/10 Enjoyment: 10/10 Cover: 9/10 Overall: 49/50

Intriguant dès le début, personnages attachants, action, amour, un combat pour survivre tous les jours. J'ai fini ce livre en ayant vraiment envie de connaître la suite!

So lange lag das Buch auf meinem Sub und jetzt bereue ich es fast, es nicht schon eher gelesen zu haben. Was für eine Achterbahnfahrt der Gefühle. Ein echtes Abenteuer, bei dem sich die Protagonistin von Seite zu Seite weiterentwickelt. Zunächst völlig ins System integriert, eine stolze Kriegerin, muss sie miterleben, wie der Ältestenrat sie ohne mit der Wimper zu zucken opfert um ein Exempel zu statuieren. Sie muss sich mit Fade an ihrer Seite in einer Welt zu Recht finden, die ihr völlig fremd ist und doch ist sie eine Kriegerin, eine Jägerin. Sie muss erleben wie ihre Welt sich wandelt. Wie die Freaks getrieben vom Hunger beginnen zusammenzuarbeiten und planvoll zu handeln. Ich habe Deuce die ganze Geschichte hindurch bewundert, ihre Stärke ihren Mut, aber auch ihr Mitgefühl. Atemlos bin ich nur so durch das Buch geflogen, denn es war keine Minute langweilig. Insbesondere als sie von den marodierenden Banden in der Stadt geschnappt wurde, um als Fortpflanzungsobjekt zu fungieren. Nach ihrer geglückten Flucht wurde es jedoch kein bisschen langweiliger, denn in dieser scheinbar verlassenen Stadt verbirgt sich hinter jeder Ecke Freaks oder andere Gefahren, wie der hereinbrechende Winter, der die Reise der vier ungewöhnlichen Weggefährten zu einem Wagnis werden ließ. Es hat mich gepackt und einfach nicht mehr losgelassen. Ich werde wohl nicht mehr so lange warten, um mir den Rest der Geschichte zu Gemüte zu führen, dafür bin ich zu neugierig was aus Deuce und Fade noch wird.

Enredo nos prende do começo ao fim, já li a trilogia e penso seriamente em ler novamente em breve